The Friborg Perpetual Peace Treaty recognized by UNESCO

The Friborg Perpetual Peace Treaty in 1516 will be registered in the UNESCO “memory of the world” international register. This document, which followed the Battle of Marignan, established a lasting peace between Switzerland and France.

(Keystone-ATS) Carried by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO, this registration is the result of collaboration between France and Switzerland, the State of Friborg said on Monday. The Treaty is a document negotiated between the Kingdom of France and the Swiss Corps in order to establish peace between the two nations and their allies, by the neutralization of the commitments of Swiss mercenaries.

For many, in Europe and in the world, this treaty marks the origin of Swiss neutrality and announces the beginnings of international law. At the same time, it made Switzerland a place conducive to meetings intended to encourage dialogue. In the fall, an official event will celebrate this inscription in Friborg.

This candidacy had received the support of personalities, like Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Bern on November 15, 2023. It was on April 10 that the UNESCO Executive Council validated inscriptions for the 2024-2026 appointment cycle among which is the perpetual peace treaty.

Documentary heritage

The management of the international register is the major activity of the UNESCO “Memory of the World” program. Its objective is to protect, enhance and make documentary heritage accessible, which plays a fundamental role in understanding the significant events of human history and culture.

The registration of the Treaty of Friborg testifies to the recognition of the world’s historical importance attributed to it, underlined the State of Friborg. The decision of the UNESCO Executive Council also confirms the decisive role of diplomatic capital that Endossa Friborg at the beginning of the 16th century.

In the immediate future, the Friborg population will have the opportunity to see this document in the State Archives, during the Night of the Museums, on May 24, 2025.